Cynisca Cycling has announced it will take what it describes as a “strategic hiatus” for the 2026 season, after falling short in its search for $1 million in sponsorship needed to move up to the UCI ProTeam level.
The US-based squad confirmed the decision in a statement shared with Cyclingnews, bringing a halt to one of the leading women’s Continental projects of recent years.
“After three years building one of the best women’s Continental cycling programmes in the world, Cynisca Cycling will take a strategic hiatus for the 2026 season,” said team manager Robin Farina. “While support for our mission remains strong, the current funding landscape makes it challenging to operate a complete and competitive team.”
The announcement follows a sustained fundraising effort through 2025 as the team sought to expand its programme and secure a higher licence. However, despite growing visibility and a strong set of results, the necessary backing could not be guaranteed in time.
Farina described the team’s season-ending appearance at the Maryland Cycling Classic as “a fitting milestone and a reminder that comebacks are possible”. The race itself has faced major challenges in recent years, having been cancelled in 2024 following the collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge, which made it impossible for organisers to stage the event safely.
“We’re determined to do the same with a full team relaunch in the future,” Farina said.
Cynisca fielded a 12-rider roster in 2025, and the management is now focused on helping riders find new opportunities. So far, only Alexis Magner has officially secured a move, signing with EF Education-Oatly for 2026.
“In the meantime, we’re launching a new initiative to fund rider salaries on other teams for 2026, ensuring that talented women don’t lose their opportunities due to the ongoing funding crisis in women’s cycling,” Farina added. “This programme is our solution to keep our mission alive and the sport’s momentum growing.”
Founded in 2023 with the goal of developing North American talent, Cynisca quickly became known for its strong calendar and competitive roster, delivering stage victories at the Volta a Portugal Feminina in back-to-back years and an overall win at the 2024 Tour of the Gila with Lauren Stephens. National championship titles for Fiona Mangan in Ireland and Mara Roldan in Canada also underlined the team’s success.
“To our sponsors, donors, and supporters, thank you from all the Cynisca staff and riders,” Farina said. “Your belief in our mission fuels everything we do, and we look forward to this next chapter in the Cynisca Cycling story.”
While the future of the team remains uncertain, Farina emphasised that this pause is intended as a reset rather than an end, with hopes of returning to competition once sustainable funding can be secured.
